Prompt 10:
Winter Lake Scene
Katsumi approached cautiously through the small path of the woods, still wearing his business attire. His shoes fell hard on the frozen snow, beside the other three trails of footprints. He studied them as he walked. One was heavy and burdened, making deep, wide impressions in the snow. Another was imbalanced, deep near the heel but light by the toe. The last was almost only the front of the foot, as if one walked solely on his toes. If there were more snow kicked up, he’d might’ve guessed the last one was running. He might have made many inferences if he wasn’t so sure about whom each trail belonged to.
Finally, he emerged by the shore of the frozen lake. The full moon was large, looming just above the jagged treetops of the barren forest. Even the silver clouds shied away from its presence, not daring to inhibit the all powerful moon. It felt intrusive as it looked down on the three men who were already gathered there, but even Katsumi knew that he couldn’t send the moon away. He had tried once before.
“All right,” he said calmly as he came upon the three. “What is this about?”
All three turned on him. It was Noboru who stepped forward, the other two hanging back just slightly. The dark-haired man looked icy and cold bathed in the moonlight, a far cry from the warmth that usually resided in his eyes. He breathed out, his breath hanging in the air as vapor for a moment. “You’ve forgotten something very important, haven’t you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t lie to me!” Noboru’s voice exploded into the silence. “I’ve remembered, Kunzite. Everything. Did you really think you could hide it from us forever?”
Katsumi froze at his previous name, and at the following question, his lips pressed in to a hard line. “No, I did not. I just thought it might do to accept the notion of a past life first before learning all the details.”
“Details? It is much more a defining factor than a detail.”
“Call it what you will.” Katsumi turned to the younger blonde men. “And what do you two remember of it?”
Jun looked away in silence while Yuuto began to shake his head. The youngest’s brow was heavy with concern, and his thumb moved up towards his lips nervously. “Nothing. From what I’ve heard, I don’t think I’d like to remember any of it.”
Katsumi felt a great disappointment at the words. He couldn’t conceal a small heartbreak as the corners of his lips fell into a frown, as he tried to swallow the lump forming in his throat. He held Yuuto’s gaze for a long moment. From his memories, was not surprised to find the same heartbreak in the other’s eyes, even if Yuuto himself didn’t fully understand why. He pulled his eyes away to look on Jun. “And you?”
“I,” Jun started. He paused, then turned to look up at Katsumi. Was this a small sign of respect? “I don’t think it matters. Remember it or not, I believe it happened.”
“You wouldn’t say that if you did remember.” Noboru’s voice rumbled deep in his chest, but he kept his glare focused on Katsumi.
Katsumi felt the pressure from the dark eyes, but did not flinch. He found his eyes floating from Yuuto, who looked more frightened than ever, over to Jun and back to Noboru. “Whatever any of you may believe or remember, this is your last chance. You may turn and leave now, if you wish. Forget all of this was ever spoken to you. Do this, and perhaps you will have a chance at a better life than the one I offer. I will understand.”
There was a long pause. It was as if the world itself was frozen under the looming, glowing moon. Katsumi had no urge to flinch, but he could not hold their gazes any longer under the weight of the moonlight. He was almost sure that when he looked up, they’d no longer be there, and he’d be left alone to hear their footfalls in the snow. Katsumi would never blame them; he wasn’t sure that he would’ve stayed if he was given the option. There was always the question of if he deserved a happy, ignorant life.
“Stop acting so noble and face us,” Noboru said. Katsumi raised his eyes smoothly to find all three men in the same places. “I can’t go back now, even if I wanted to.”
Yuuto forced a smile to his face to try to hide the obvious fear in his eyes. “I’d rather face my past mistakes with those who were beside me then rather than alone.”
Jun shrugged his shoulders, but he gave Katsumi a hard look. “It’s worth a shot.”
